Key Takeaways:
- The digital divide represents digital inequity among different groups of people. Barriers to achieving digital equity include high-speed internet availability, technology device affordability and digital literacy.
- Examples of the digital divide include digital literacy skills, technology availability, healthcare disparities, high-speed internet access, educational inequities and economic disparities.
- Government agencies, industries and philanthropists are working toward digital inclusion to ensure everyone has equal opportunities in the digital economy.
The Fourth Industrial Revolution has transformed the way we live, work and communicate. This digital transformation has connected people globally, but it has also increased digital inequity, leaving some groups out of the new digital economy. If we do not address these issues at a systemic level, it can aggravate other inequities in society.
For example, the pandemic exposed the challenges low-income students face when accessing school resources online. In 2020, according to a Pew Research study, 59% of parents of K-12 students with lower incomes faced digital access obstacles.
There are many more examples of how digital inequity affects people’s lives. Ahead, we discuss what the digital divide is and why it matters. We also include six examples of the digital divide.
What Is the Digital Divide and Why it Matters
The digital divide refers to inequity in digital access between different groups. The internet has spread information in the most significant way since the invention of the printing press. Today, the knowledge we have at our fingertips was only available to society’s elite in the past.
Yet, even after decades of digital connection, many still do not have fair access to the internet. The digital divide presents itself differently based on the barriers to connections people face.
Some of the barriers to digital equity include:
- Availability of high-speed internet
- Affordability of tech devices
- A lack of digital literacy skills
The impact of the digital divide touches many crucial aspects of our lives. Everything from health information to job postings is digitized these days. That provides efficiency for providers and employers, but it can also make it more difficult for some to access the information they need.
Addressing this issue is necessary to ensure that everyone can participate in the digital economy. Failure to do so can create greater challenges for communities, resulting in a lack of progress.
Six Examples of the Digital Divide
It is easy to find examples of how the digital divide reduces opportunities for affected groups. Broadly, all of these examples of the digital divide relate to the availability of access, the ability to use devices, and even the quality of digital connections.
Below are six digital divide examples. Each one of these continues to perpetuate the digital divide.
Digital Literacy Skills
A lack of exposure to technology can create a deficiency in digital literacy. This deficit affects people in different ways. For example, people from more senior generations may struggle with digital literacy because they did not grow up with connected devices. Children in communities that lack opportunities also have lower levels of digital literacy caused by the shortage of digital resources.
Digital skills are necessary for most jobs today as businesses and many aspects of living move to digital platforms. Yet, according to 2020 data from the National Skills Coalition, 35% of the U.S. population lacks digital literacy skills. This number jumps to over 50% for Black workers and 57% for Latino workers.
Availability of Technology
Even in communities with digital infrastructure, a lack of digital devices in the household may contribute to the digital divide. Participating in the digital economy requires technological resources. But factors like affordability may play a role in why some experience a lack of digital connection compared to others.
Even the most affordable desktop computer can cost more than some families can budget. As a result, lower-income households are less likely to have digital devices. They still may own smartphones, but many digital tasks are designed for desktop rather than mobile screens.
For example, only 4% of higher-income smartphone users are likely to rely on their smartphone to go online compared to 28% of lower-income smartphone users, according to 2024 data from Pew Research Center. Many companies optimize their websites for desktop users, putting mobile users at a disadvantage. This can ultimately lead to income and opportunity disparities for communities with a lack of opportunities due to the digital divide.
Healthcare Disparities
Technology has transformed the healthcare industry. Today, we can access health information and book telemedicine appointments online. We also need digital access to manage prescriptions and patient portals. However, due to the digital divide, some patients cannot access health technology.
Digital inequity is also tied to chronic illnesses like diabetes and mental health. Patients with limited access to health information online tend to have poorer health outcomes. As a result, digital inequity increases existing inequities in healthcare for low-income patients.
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) recognizes broadband access as a Social Determinant of Health (SDOH). SDOHs are non-medical conditions that affect population health. They account for 80–90% of an individual’s healthcare outcomes. Other factors include insurance coverage, income, education level and transportation. This shows how important high-speed internet access is to improve population health, especially for communities that lack opportunities.
High-Speed Internet Access
At least 25% of the U.S. population does not have reliable broadband service, according to the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) of the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2020 American Communities Study. People in rural, remote and low-income urban areas can have limited or no access to high-speed internet. Areas that lack digital infrastructure are commonly referred to as broadband deserts.
To address this issue, the FCC established the Affordable Connectivity Program to help low-income households pay for high-speed internet access. Additionally, tech companies and nonprofits are working to bring digital infrastructure to rural areas and communities that lack access to opportunities.
Educational Inequities
Even in early education, students are expected to use digital devices for schoolwork. So, a lack of technology at home creates an educational opportunity gap. FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel coined the term “homework gap” to represent this consequence of the digital divide.
Over time, the digital divide in education negatively impacts the academic performance of students, making them less competitive than their peers. This inequity extends to students in higher education, who also experience challenges with digital access.
Economic Disparities
Applying for jobs, developing professional skills and maintaining employment require digital access. Additionally, being a competitive candidate and an effective employee requires digital access and literacy.
Digital equity is essential for everyone to have equal opportunities in the global economy. These examples of the digital divide touch many aspects of our everyday lives and our abilities to achieve success. The ultimate goal is digital inclusion. Equal access to technology, connectivity and digital literacy also helps create gender, income and racial equity. Achieving this goal is why bridging this divide is an important focus of governments, industries and nonprofits.
To learn more about bridging the digital divide, and more examples of the digital divide, follow Robert F. Smith on LinkedIn.
